During the past number of years, the construction industry has evolved in many regards as quality of work has improved considerably and one area that has been regulated more than most is the electrical industry.
Safety standards and other regulations mean that every electrical contractor has to achieve numerous certifications in order to comply with the legislation in place.
For companies that have been operating many years, their experience has allowed them to obtain these certs with the minimum of fuss and for this month’s edition of Building Ireland, we profile Limerick based electrical contractor WKS Electrical Contractors Ltd.
Founded in 1984, the company is celebrating its 33rd year in business this year as managing director Rose Smith and manager Brendan Quinn spoke to us about what it has taken for them to be so successful over the years.
In her capacity of MD, Rose oversees the management teams, while maintaining her role as financial controller and has seen the company successfully through two recessions and leads the company to success across the electrical, security and property maintenance sectors.
In his capacity as Manager, Brendan is responsible for driving business performance across all three sectors to which WKS operate.
Specialising in industrial and commercial installations, WKS provide a wide range of services to a large customer base and from their location in Limerick city they cover a wide area across the mid-west.
“Initially, we started out as electrical contractors and we built up a large customer base,” said Rose. “Over the years, due to demand from our customers, WKS branched into Security where we can offer Access Control, CCTV & Security Systems. WKS are licensed by the PSA and members of the EQA. Due to the success of this move we decided to branch into Property Service/Maintenance which meant that now WKS are the complete services provider where WKS can not only provide our own highly qualified craftsmen but can also provide highly qualified, fully insured, highly trained craftsmen from all of the other trades.”
She added: “Through the services that we offer, we can provide a turnkey service on many projects including office fit-outs, kitchens/ canteens, bathrooms/ toilets, specialising in short turn-around projects.
“Our Client’s find having one point of contact for a project, means that they waste less time trying to contact multiple contractors, making for a more efficient and stress free project for them.”
Within the services that they provide, WKS LTD specialise on key areas such as emergency lighting and firm alarms, PAT testing and computer networking and Brendan revealed that their team are experienced in all areas.
“Health & Safety are always foremost in our minds and to ensure a healthy and safe environment and workplace for both our staff and our customers. For this reason WKS always provides a large part of our budget to invest in Safety Training, Safety Equipment & Protective clothing.
“There are 12-14 regular staff here, many of who have been with the company a number of years and are very experienced in what they do. Our clients would be familiar with our employees and that familiarity allows a trust to form amongst both parties,” stated Brendan.
“All our staff have excellent knowledge in all sectors where we provide highly motivated staff, that will listen to all your needs and help you in choosing electrical layout and help you decide down to the finish and brand of sockets, light switches, telephone, TV points in your home.
“We are members of RECI, AECI, EQA and Safe Electric. We have worked hard to achieve the necessary certs needed to operate to the legislation required and we are delighted to say that we meet all requirements in that respect.”
To keep the dynamic of the company in order, WKS mix experienced electricians with apprentices and at the moment, they have three guys learning their trade with them.
“We would regularly take on apprentices,” added Brendan. “We feel that it is important to have a good mix through the company and it is something that has always be done down through the years.”
WKSL Ltd customer base includes the likes of Stryker Howmedica, OPW, HSE, Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service and Limerick City Council to name just a few
“We have a long standing portfolio of electrical contracts in the commercial, industrial and domestic sectors, ranging from complete office electrical fit-outs to maintenance contracts.
“We Install and maintain: Mains and sub-mains installations, Lighting Systems, Containment, Fire Alarm, General Services, Communications networking, CCTV and Alarm Systems.”
WKS Property maintenance, deliver excellent quality bespoke work, ranging from complete canteen fitouts to shop fronts and counters, to everything else including, changing windows, doors, painting/ decorating.
“Within our property maintenance team, we have a core group of selected employees, who are all masters of their trades, from Cabinet makers to painter decorators, ensuring that all of our clients are getting high end quality work at very attractive prices,” revealed Rose.
So what does the future hold for this long standing company? “Our aim is to grow the business over the course of the next twelve months, we are always actively seeking new work and even though we are busy at the moment, you always have to be looking ahead to the future.
“Each area of the business is doing very well at the moment and we are pleased with the level of service that we provide. Anyone that is representing us whether it be an employee or a sub-contractor produce high quality work and that is something that we will continue to do,” concluded Rose.
Contact Details:
WKS Electrical
Contractors Ltd
43/46 Roxtown Terrace,
Lelia Street,
Limerick.
Tel: 061-419626 /
061-417959
FAX: 061-417959
Email: [email protected]
Taken from Building Ireland Magazine, October 2017, Vol 3 No 9
